Loading device.



C. K. GORHAIVI.

LOADING DEVICE.

APPUCATION FILED FEE.14.1916.

Patented Oct. 3l, 1916.

CHARLES K. GORI-IAM, OF DUNLP, IOWA.

LOADING DEVICE.

reoaoaa.

Application filed February 14, 1916.'

of the invention, such as will enable othersA skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in loading devices, and particularly to devices for loading manure into manure spreaders.

One object of the invention isto provide a device which can be easily and conven-y iently handled to discharge into a manure spreader a quantity of manure at a single operation, suliicient to lill the spreader.

r-inother object is to provide a device of this character which can be quickly and easily loaded by means of the ordinary drag scoops.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

ln the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved loading device; Fig. is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of filling the loader; Fig. a is a perspective view of the tripping device for f one of the platform chains 19.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents the lower portions and 10 the upper portions of a pair of vertical upright members. The members l() are provided with pointed lower ends to permit of their being driven into theV ground, the upper ends being arranged for detachable engagement with the lower ends of the upper members as will appear more fully later. inclined braces 11 extend from the upper ends of the members 10 to the ground, a suitable distance from the lower ends of the members 10. Horizontal braces 12 connect the members 10 and 11. Secured to the upper ends of the members 10 and 11 is a transverse beam 13, to which is connected an inclined supporting and bracing leg 1l. This beam 13 carries a triple pulley block 15, and a single pulley block 15, over which is passed a rope 16.' A second pulley Specificaton'of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

serial No. 78,309.

block 17 receives this rope and is adapted to move vertically between the supports. The lower end of the leg 14C is provided with a pulley 18, through which the end of the rope 16 is passedand to which suitable draft animals are adapted to be hitched. Suspended from the pulley block 17 by means of the chains 19 is a platform 20` having the end-boards 21 carried by the shorter sides thereof, the other sides of the platform being open. Connected to one end of the platform is a block and tackle 22 which is adapted to tilt downwardly one side of the platform when the platform is raised.

On one side, and inner end of the platform, is a pivoted lever 23 carrying on one end a vertical pivoted pin 24, which is adapted to be passed through the terminal link of the chain 19 after said link is passed between a pair of apertured members 25 mounted on the side of the platform.

Disposed over the inner end of the lever 23 is a curved guard 27 which limits the upward movement of the said end, thus preventing the removal of the pin 2a from the opening of the upper member 25. A coil spring 27 is connected at its opposite ends to the inner end of the lever 23 and to the upper member 25 to normally depress the lever and hold the pin 24 within the openings of the said members 25. To the other end of the lever is connected a rope 26 by means of which the lever may be rocked to raise the pin and release the link.

The block and tackle 22 is used to pull the side of the platform down and hold the same so that when the manure on the lower side not tip the platform back level again.

Secured to the upper end of each of the 9 members 10 is a leaf spring 29 which bears on one side of the inner end of the member 12 while the adjacent or upper end of the member 10 abuts against the lower end of said member 10. Extending from each side of the platform, and carried by the side members 21, is a pin 28, which is adapted to bear against the member 10 during the upward movement of the platform, thus insuring the proper vertical guidance thereof.

ln the operation of the device, the supporting frame is set up in proximity to a pile of manure or in a yard over which manure is spread more or less evenly and then the platform lowered so that it rests on the hitched to the end of the rope to raise the' platform to the proper height. As the platform moves upwardly the pins bear against the outer edge faces of the members l0 and the corresponding faces of the members l0. When the platform has reached the proper height these members l() are disengaged from the members 10 so that the manure spreader can readily drive thereunder. A manure spreader is then driven under one side of the platform after removing the `guides 10 and the platform tipped by releasing the pin 24, and pulling the tackle 2Q, to permit the manure to slide therefrom into the spreader. When the rope 26 is pulled, the lever 23 is rocked on its pivot to move the pin 9A upwardly from the link of the chain 19 whereupon this side or end of the platform can be readily pulled downwardly. Normally this chain 19 supports this end of the platform so that the platform will remain level.

l What is claimed is: y A device for loading a manure spreader comprising a supporting structure including centrally arranged guiding members disposed vertically with respect thereto andremovable to permit the passage of the spreader beneath the structure, an elevating platform having projecting pins for engagement with the guides, immovable vertical guides for engagement by said pins when the removable guides are removed, upwardly converging flexible elements carried by the sides of the platform, elevating means between the support and the flexible elements, saidl flexible elements including a detachably connected chain, means for releasing the chain to permit the platform being tipped, and means carried by the platform for tipping the same after it has been elevated, and the chain released.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES K. GORHAM. Witnesses:

HAZEL E. HANSEN, ELL'rs F. GORHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

